All Exams Test series for 1 year @ ₹349 only
Question

Two rectangular sheets of sizes 2π × 4π and π × 5π are available. A hollow right circular cylinder can be formed by joining a pair of parallel sides of any sheets. What is the maximum possible volume of the cylinder that can be formed this way?

This question was previously asked in
CDS I 2017 General Knowledge Previous Year Paper (05-Feb-2017)
The correct answer is

8 π 2

Understanding Cylinder Formation from Rectangular Sheets

When a hollow right circular cylinder is formed by joining a pair of parallel sides of a rectangular sheet, one dimension of the rectangle becomes the circumference of the cylinder's base, and the other dimension becomes the height of the cylinder. Let the dimensions of the rectangular sheet be length \(L\) and width \(W\).

  • If we join the sides of length \(L\), the circumference is \(L\), and the height is \(W\).
  • If we join the sides of length \(W\), the circumference is \(W\), and the height is \(L\).

The circumference of a circle is given by the formula \(C = 2\pi r\), where \(r\) is the radius of the base. The volume of a right circular cylinder is given by \(V = \pi r^2 h\), where \(h\) is the height.

Analyzing the First Rectangular Sheet: 2π × 4π

The first sheet has dimensions \(2\pi\) and \(4\pi\). We can form a cylinder in two ways:

Case 1.1: Joining sides of length 2π

In this case, the circumference \(C = 2\pi\) and the height \(h = 4\pi\).

Using \(C = 2\pi r\), we have \(2\pi = 2\pi r\), which gives the radius \(r = 1\).

The volume of the cylinder is \(V = \pi r^2 h\).

Substituting the values, \(V_1 = \pi (1)^2 (4\pi) = \pi (1) (4\pi) = 4\pi^2\).

Case 1.2: Joining sides of length 4π

In this case, the circumference \(C = 4\pi\) and the height \(h = 2\pi\).

Using \(C = 2\pi r\), we have \(4\pi = 2\pi r\). Dividing both sides by \(2\pi\), we get the radius \(r = 2\).

The volume of the cylinder is \(V = \pi r^2 h\).

Substituting the values, \(V_2 = \pi (2)^2 (2\pi) = \pi (4) (2\pi) = 8\pi^2\).

Analyzing the Second Rectangular Sheet: π × 5π

The second sheet has dimensions \(\pi\) and \(5\pi\). We can form a cylinder in two ways:

Case 2.1: Joining sides of length π

In this case, the circumference \(C = \pi\) and the height \(h = 5\pi\).

Using \(C = 2\pi r\), we have \(\pi = 2\pi r\). Dividing both sides by \(2\pi\), we get the radius \(r = \frac{\pi}{2\pi} = \frac{1}{2}\).

The volume of the cylinder is \(V = \pi r^2 h\).

Substituting the values, \(V_3 = \pi \left(\frac{1}{2}\right)^2 (5\pi) = \pi \left(\frac{1}{4}\right) (5\pi) = \frac{5}{4}\pi^2 = 1.25\pi^2\).

Case 2.2: Joining sides of length 5π

In this case, the circumference \(C = 5\pi\) and the height \(h = \pi\).

Using \(C = 2\pi r\), we have \(5\pi = 2\pi r\). Dividing both sides by \(2\pi\), we get the radius \(r = \frac{5\pi}{2\pi} = \frac{5}{2}\).

The volume of the cylinder is \(V = \pi r^2 h\).

Substituting the values, \(V_4 = \pi \left(\frac{5}{2}\right)^2 (\pi) = \pi \left(\frac{25}{4}\right) (\pi) = \frac{25}{4}\pi^2 = 6.25\pi^2\).

Comparing Possible Cylinder Volumes

We have calculated four possible volumes from the two rectangular sheets:

  • From the 2π × 4π sheet: \(4\pi^2\) and \(8\pi^2\).
  • From the π × 5π sheet: \(1.25\pi^2\) and \(6.25\pi^2\).

Let's compare these values:

\(4\pi^2 \approx 4 \times (3.14)^2 \approx 4 \times 9.86 = 39.44\)

\(8\pi^2 \approx 8 \times (3.14)^2 \approx 8 \times 9.86 = 78.88\)

\(1.25\pi^2 \approx 1.25 \times (3.14)^2 \approx 1.25 \times 9.86 = 12.325\)

\(6.25\pi^2 \approx 6.25 \times (3.14)^2 \approx 6.25 \times 9.86 = 61.625\)

Comparing the exact values: \(4\pi^2\), \(8\pi^2\), \(1.25\pi^2\), \(6.25\pi^2\).

The maximum value among these is \(8\pi^2\).

Summary of Cylinder Volumes

Sheet Size Circumference Height Radius (\(r = C/(2\pi)\)) Volume (\(V = \pi r^2 h\))
\(2\pi \times 4\pi\) \(2\pi\) \(4\pi\) \(1\) \(4\pi^2\)
\(2\pi \times 4\pi\) \(4\pi\) \(2\pi\) \(2\) \(8\pi^2\)
\(\pi \times 5\pi\) \(\pi\) \(5\pi\) \(1/2\) \(1.25\pi^2\)
\(\pi \times 5\pi\) \(5\pi\) \(\pi\) \(5/2\) \(6.25\pi^2\)

The maximum possible volume of the cylinder that can be formed is \(8\pi^2\).

Revision Table - Cylinder Volume Calculation

Concept Formula Application
Cylinder from Rectangle One dimension = Circumference (\(2\pi r\)), Other dimension = Height (\(h\)) Applied to each sheet's dimensions in two ways.
Cylinder Radius \(r = C / (2\pi)\) Calculated for each case using the circumference.
Cylinder Volume \(V = \pi r^2 h\) Calculated for each case using the derived radius and corresponding height.
Maximum Volume Compare all calculated volumes Identified the largest volume among the possibilities.

Additional Information - Geometry Concepts

Right Circular Cylinder: A three-dimensional solid with two parallel circular bases connected by a curved surface. The axis passing through the center of the bases is perpendicular to the bases.

Circumference of a Circle: The distance around the circle. Formula: \(C = 2\pi r\) or \(C = \pi d\), where \(d\) is the diameter.

Area of a Rectangle: Length × Width.

Forming 3D Shapes from 2D Nets: Many 3D shapes, like cylinders, cones, and cubes, can be formed by folding 2D shapes (nets). A cylinder's net is typically a rectangle and two circles for the bases. In this problem, we consider forming a hollow cylinder, which only requires the rectangular part of the net.

Understanding how the dimensions of the 2D net relate to the dimensions of the 3D shape is crucial for solving such geometry problems.

Was this answer helpful?

Similar Questions

  1. A cone and a hemisphere have equal bases and volumes. What is the ratio of the height of the cone to the radius of the hemisphere?

  2. The volume of a hemisphere is 155232 cm 3. What is the radius of the hemisphere?

  3. The radius and height of a right circular cone are in the ratio 3 : 7. If the volume of the cone is 528 cm 3, then what is the height of the cone? \(\left( {{\rm{Take}}\,\,{\rm{\pi }}\,{\rm{ = }}\frac{{22}}{7}} \right)\)

  4. The length, breadth and height of a cuboid are in the ratio 27 : 8 : 1. The cuboid is melted and recast into a cube. If p is the surface area of the cuboid and q is the surface area of the cube, then what is p/q equal to?

  5. A lamp shade is in the shape of a part of a cone and its top and bottom ends are circles whose circumferences are respectively 30 cm and 40 cm. The perpendicular distance between the ends is 6 cm. If the cone were to be completed, then how far would its vertex be from the top end?

  6. Three solid lead spheres of radius 6 cm, 8 cm and 10 cm are melted together and recast as a solid sphere. What is the percentage diminution of the surface area as compared to the sum of the surface areas of the three spheres ?

  7. A solid sphere of radius 3 cm is melted to form a hollow cylinder of height 4 cm and external diameter 10 cm. What is the thickness of the cylinder?

  8. What is the radius of the base of the cone ?

  9. The surface areas of two spheres are in the ratio 1 ∶ 4. What is the ratio of their volumes?

  10. If the radius of a sphere is rational, then which of the following is/are correct?

    1. Its surface area is rational.
    2. Its volume is rational.

    Select the correct answer using the code given below:


Important Questions from Solid Figures

  1. A cone and a hemisphere have equal bases and volumes. What is the ratio of the height of the cone to the radius of the hemisphere?

  2. If the surface area of a sphere is 64 π cm 2, then the volume of the sphere is:

  3. Find the surface area of a sphere of diameter 21 cm. (Use π = \(\frac{{22}}{7}\) )

  4. A cube is 7 cm of an edge and another cube is 14 cm on an edge. The ratios of their surface areas are

  5. Using three distinct points which of the following shapes cannot be formed?

Need Expert Advice?
Test Series
CDS img
Defence
UPSC CDS 2026 Mock Test Series
536 Tests 4 Tests Free
1682 Attempts
4.3(174)
English, Hindi
More Questions from CDS

Start Your Preparation with Prepp Mobile App

Download the app from Google Play & App Store
Download the app from Google Play & App Store
Prepp Mobile App